Matches for "Ellen Harvey"

Ellen Harvey is semi-retired but she is one lady who is not ready to be put out to pasture.
Harvey, from the famous Harvey harness racing family, is a long-time executive, publicist, writer, director and industry advocate who grew up in Washington County and graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1973.
Earlier this year, she semi-retired from the position of executive director of Harness Racing Communications Coordinator of Standardbred Support Programs for the United States Trotting Association, where she worked for 23 years.
“I’m still working on a contract basis,” she said, “special projects.”
Harness racing has been a special project for her entire life.
Harvey grew up outside of Arden, in the Meadow Lands area of Washington County. She currently resides in Freehold, N.Y.
Her father, Harry, who died in 2016, was elected to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2001 after managing Delvin Miller’s Meadow Lands farm and then purchasing the Meadow Lands Farm annex where he lived. He also started his own Arden Hills Farm and racing stable at nearby Arden Downs – the Washington County Fairgrounds – and was a renowned trainer.
Harry Harvey moved his family to Meadow Lands in 1951. His wife, Cornelia, managed the farm’s finances for 54 of their 61 years of marriage and taught the children to ride horses.
“Everywhere we looked, we could see horses,” Ellen Harvey said. “Five-hundred and fifty acres. We raised 100 babies a year. My bedroom window looked over a big field of mares and foals.
“We were five miles from (Washington) and the parents of my friends thought that was a bit too far to travel to a friend’s house. We couldn’t do anything else other than look after and care for the horses.
“Horses and harness racing was always part of my life. When I was a kid, daddy was gone a lot to the track. I wanted to live on Allison Avenue in Washington. We were living on a dirt road. Some of my friends’ parents thought it was too dangerous out there, too far away. We were two-and-a-half miles from a paved road. We had the ponies, a pond with fish and a car past our house about once every three hours.”
Ellen Harvey has two sisters, Anne and Kathryn, and a brother, Leo, who still resides in the Pittsburgh area.
She earned an undergraduate bachelor of arts degree from Boston College, graduating magna cum laude, and a master’s degree in education, Federal Department of Education Fellow from the University of Washington.
She lived in Boston for 10 years, where she worked as a special-education teacher and administrator – working with newborns to 3-year-olds with special needs.
“I started to look at what skills I had,” Harvey said. “I knew harness racing.
“At IC, I was a good writer. Sister Rosemary Flaherty made me a better writer. If I turned in a paper with a mistake, she’d hand it back and make me – all of us – fix the mistake. You could never turn in a paper that wasn’t perfect. She made me a disciplined writer.”
That tutelage, and the harness racing background, made her one of the best harness racing writers, information sources, publicists and experts in the sport’s history.
She produced and syndicated television shows. She worked on radio and TV shows telling stories, keeping beat writers and the harness racing audience informed.
Harvey produced a TV show at the Meadowlands, in New Jersey. She kept writers at the Newark Star Ledger, New York Daily News and other news outlets informed and filled with statistics, notes and trends. Her focus was on local, national and international events.
“I think what is really unique about her and what makes her so noteworthy and special, is she is very smart, and truly understands the industry from bottom to top because of her family,” said Christine Blaine, director of marketing and communications for the Washington Wild Things and former publicity director at The Meadows. “If you take that kind of knowledge and put it into the equation, I don’t think you could have anyone better or more suited to promote the industry as Ellen.
“She has been involved since the day she was born. She has all the smarts to go with it and the personality. She can talk to anybody – from the most sophisticated to the most common. Ellen has the perfect blend of assets to further the racing industry.
“I look at her now (through social media) and see she’s passionate about horses. She is passionate about the industry. I really admire her. Ellen’s skillset, background and education make her an invaluable asset to the racing industry.”
Harvey was Director of Media relations at the Meadowlands for five years and was project director for the North American Harness Racing Marketing Association in New York City.
Her stories appeared in USA Today, New York Times, Globe and Mail, and for services such as the Associated Press and Reuters.
Her fingerprints were on television shows, syndicated shows on MSNBC, local CBS affiliates and the MSG channel and stories and information for ESPN, CBS Sunday Morning, NPR (National Public Radio) and most major newspapers in the U.S. and Canada.
Harvey also is the author of the book Standardbred Old Friends, profiling 43 horses.
She’s a big deal and the real deal.
In one particular venture, a syndicated weekly national harness racing television show, Harvey helped triple viewership from 10 million to 30 million in two years.
She credits the time living in Washington for helping to shape her in many ways.
“It all started in Washington,” Harvey said. “I am proud to be from there.
“We had 60 in our class. Twenty-two or 23 boys. The rest were girls. We had seven national merit scholars. I was not one of them. It was a great class.”
She added that her father’s influence was a big reason for her success and attention to detail.
“He could not stand when things were not taken care of,” Harvey explained. “He wouldn’t sleep until everything was done, everything was fixed.
“He was always pushing against the tide. He was proud of his training to do things better. He wasn’t a patient man but he was patient with the horses. We all benefited from his personality.”
One of Harvey’s friends, who graduated a year before her, was Mary Ellen Boylan Jutca. The two played on the same basketball team. Jutca is one of the greatest female players and athletes in Washington County history and went onto a Hall of Fame athletic career at Villanova.
Jutca scored a county-record 53 points one game.
Harvey proudly says she “played in the game” while Jutca “dominated the game.”
The two maintained a friendship that many miles could not break.
“Ellen was always smiling,” Jutca said. “She’s a dear sweet person – always positive. I never heard anything negative from her or about her. She did well for herself and she comes from a lovely family. ... When Ellen spoke, it was very profound. She was just a joy to be around.”
Jutca, recalls a “chance” meeting with Harvey miles from IC and their high school friendship.
“I was on a trip with some of my friends to go visit a roommate from Villanova,” Jutca said. “She lived in Liberty, N.Y., which is close to Woodstock. The car was full and we all wanted to see Woodstock. We were in the middle of nowhere on a country road. We’re singing and laughing and we were passing a hill with a big rock at the top.
“I said, ‘Wait a minute. Back the car up.’ I thought I saw somebody I knew. My friends said I was crazy. But on top of that hill sat Ellen Harvey. I got out. We hugged. We didn’t stop long. But I was blown away. To me, that took the cake. In the middle of nowhere – in the Catskills Mountains – I see Ellen Harvey sitting on a rock. Unbelievable.”
John Sacco writes a bi-weekly Sunday column about local sports history for the Observer-Reporter.
Reprinted with permission of the Observer-Reporter

ANDERSON, Ind. - The field is set for the Breeders Crown final for harness racing 3-year-old trotting colts.
In the first of three $25,000 elimination races held Saturday night at Hoosier Park, it was International Moni (Scott Zeron) sweeping down the center of the track to win by 2¼ lengths in 1:52.4, a new track record. The previous record of 1:53.4 was co-held by Rubio, set just last week, and Bar Hopping, set last year.
Top Flight Angel (Andy Miller) was first to the lead in :27.3 and was on top briefly until being overtaken by Dover Dan and driver Corey Callahan just past the quarter. By the time the field got to the :55.3 half, Rubio (Brian Sears) was on the move to the lead and held it until the 1:23.3 three quarters.
But International Moni, a son of the French stallion Love You and former Horse of the Year Moni Maker, was on the move on the outside and bore down on the leaders to take the lead and put ground between him and the field for the win. Seven And Seven was second and Dover Dan was third, getting the final guaranteed spot in the Crown final, set for next Saturday.
Top Flight Angel was fourth and will get the final spot in the final by virtue of his 2017 earnings, highest of the three fourth-place finishers, with $395,828 in the bank.
Frank Antonacci trains for owner-breeders the Moni Maker Stable. It was International Moni's eighth win in 13 starts this year and pushed his 2017 earnings to $395,828. He returned $3.40 to win.
"The race set up great with so much action going on," said Zeron. "Three leader changes, it set up great for me, just sitting back in the five hole. I was able to come first up like I'd want to. Down the lane, I asked my horse, never slowed him down from the second I moved him, and he never slowed down down the lane."
International Moni
In the second elimination, Lindy The Great earned another Breeders Crown entry for trainer Antonacci, again with a homebred for KR Breeders and co-owner Robert Rudolph. The son of Crazed led wire-to-wire through fractions of :27.3, :56, and 1:23.3 to win by 4¼ lengths in 1:53. Zeron was once again in the driver's seat.
New Jersey Viking (Ake Svanstedt) was second with Giveitgasandgo (Corey Callahan) third for a berth in the final.
It was the third win in nine starts for Lindy The Great ($4.20 to win), and his winnings rose to $168,683 for 2017.
Lindy The Great
In the third and final elimination, What The Hill (David Miller) hustled right off the gate to grab the lead by the :28 quarter and stayed in that spot through the :56.4 half and 1:24.3 three quarters with Yes Mickey (Svanstedt) at his back throughout.
In the stretch, Yes Mickey tipped off the rail to get to the wheel of What The Hill briefly, but the son of Muscle Hill pulled away easily for the 1¼-length win in 1:52.1, to set another track record. The prior mark was 1:52.4, set earlier by International Moni.
Yes Mickey was second and Guardian Angel As (Tim Tetrick) third to grab spots in the final. The winner returned $4.40.
Ron Burke trains What The Hill for owners Burke Racing, Our Horse Cents Stable, Jerry and Teresa Silva and Deo Volente Farm.
What The Hill was a $65,000 yearling at the Lexington Select Sale. The breeder is Stan Klemencic.
What The Hill
By Ellen Harvey, for Breeders Crown

Yonkers, NY --- Crazy Wow and harness racing driver Yannick Gingras made light work of the field to win the $250,000 Harry Harvey Invitational Trot at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 14) by a half-length in the time of the 2:25 in the 1-1/4 contest.
Crazy Wow and Gingras went right to the lead and reached the quarter mile mark in :28, with Lookslikeachpndale trailing him at that point and to the :58.3 half Dia Monde (George Brennan) tipped off the rail past the half but could not make up ground on the leaders. At the 1:28 three quarters, it was still Crazy Wow and Lookslikeachpndale behind him.
Crazy Wow hit the mile marker in 1:55.4 and never had a serious challenge in the stretch to win. Looklikeachpndale was second and Dia Monde was third.
“He raced good and the fractions worked out in our favor, no doubt,” said winning driver Gingras. “We took advantage of it.”
“They don’t come much better than they, do they?” said Burke assistant trainer Shannon Murphy. “Awesome. He raced great in Lexington (fourth in the Allerage in 1:50.4). He got used really, really hard, but dug in and held forth. Breeders Crown next.”
by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Yonkers, NY --- With a three-wide sweeping rush, All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley) got to the finish line first by a slim margin in the harness racing $250,000 Dan Rooney Invitational Pace on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 14) at Yonkers Raceway in 1:51.4.
All Bets Are Off is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Baldachino and Pan Hellenic Stables. It was his 27th career win and pushed his lifetime earnings to $2,834,832.
Bit Of A Legend N (Jordan Stratton) grabbed the lead at first call, getting to the quarter in :26.4, with race favorite Sintra trailing him. By the :55.3 half, Bit Of A Legend A (Jordan Stratton) still had the lead but was soon overtaken by Somewhere In LA (Jason Bartlett) who had the lead at the 1:23.1 three-quarters.
With a cavalry charge down the homestretch, Keystone Velocity (Daniel Dube) went three-wide to chase down the leaders and grab the lead at the head of the stretch. But All Bets Off was coming fastest of all and got up on the outside to just nip All Bets Off at the wire.
Wining driver Matt Kakaley said he had no fear of timing the wire just right.
“That was perfect, it worked out great," he said. "I think he likes it that way (accelerating late in the race), it’s worked good the last two weeks and the trip just was perfect today. I was pretty confident (he would get to the wire in time) it was working out good for him.
Shannon Murphy, assistant trainer for the Burke Stable, was similarly confident.
“I thought he’d get there; he likes that. If I owned him maybe it would be tough on my heart. Breeders Crown is next for him.”
by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

The United States Trotting Association (USTA) has offered assistance to multiple animal welfare groups caring for horses displaced in the recent hurricane and flooding in east Texas.
The USTA's Support Our Standardbreds (SOS) program has, since 2011, provided financial help to animal welfare groups or agencies caring for registered Standardbreds subject to criminal neglect or abandonment.
There are nearly 100 USTA members in Texas, many of them in east Texas, where flooding has caused massive damage and separated thousands of horse owners from their animals. SOS funds can help cover costs of their care until they can be reunited with owners. Additionally, freeze brands or tattoos should help identify the horse and expedite return to their owners; USTA staff will assist in that process.
"Most of our membership is a long way from Texas, but we want to support Standardbreds and their owners, wherever they are," said USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner. "By extending assistance through the SOS program, we can help care for Standardbreds who may be sick or injured as a result of the flood and we'll also help identify them and get them reunited with their owners. In emergencies such as these, very few animals have any kind of traceable ID, but our horses will be the exception."
by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - August 5, 2017 - Resolve, driven and trained by Ake Svanstedt, won the $303,050 John Cashman Memorial for harness racing open trotters by four and a quarter lengths in a time of 2:04.2 for the mile and an eighth race on Saturday at the Meadowlands.
The mile time in the sixth race distance event was 1:50.1.
Resolve is owned by Hans Enggren of Abbottstown, PA.
The victory was the third in 18 starts for the year for earnings of $335,995 toward $2,544,429 for the career of the six-year -old son of Muscle Hill. .
The 12- horse field was led to the first quarter by Resolve, who hit the first quarter 26.3, with Crazy Wow (Yannick Gingras) behind them. Those two led the field to the 55.1 half when Marion Marauder (Scott Zeron) came up to challenge on the outside, just before the 1:22.3 three quarters, around the final turn, and took the second spot away from Crazy Wow. Resolve trotted away from the field in the homestretch for the win.
Resolve returned $7.00, $4.00 and $3.80. Marion Marauder, paying $4.00, $3.00, was second and Lookslikeachpndale returned $14.20 in third with Daniel Dube driving. The first three home are all by Muscle Hill.
"[Marion Marauder] was the horse to beat before the race," said Svanstadt. "But Resolve was good enough."
Asked if Resolve was as good as Sebastian K, "Not yet, It's hard to beat [1]:49," he said.
By Ellen Harvey

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - August 5, 2017 -- Pasithea Face S and Tim Tetrick won the $176,250 Dr. John Steele Memorial for harness racing trotting mares in 1:51.2 by two lengths for her first United States win on Saturday afternoon at The Meadowlands.
Emoticom Hanover, driven by Daniel Dube, got to the lead in a time of 27.3 for the first quarter but were soon overtaken by Hannelore Hanover (Yannick Gingras), who had the lead at the 54.4 half, before Pasithea Face S came up to challenge at about the five eighths mile mark. Those two trotted together around the final turn and in to the stretch, with Emoticom Hanover looking to squeeze up the rail.
Pasithea Face trotted on to the wire with mild urging for the win by two lengths, paying $9.60, $6.00, $15.20. Caprice Hill ($15.60, $41.60] got up for second and Emoticom Hanover ($23.00) was third.
"This horse is really strong, " said Anders Strom, who races the five-year-old mare under his stable name of Courant, Inc. "I thought she would do great by the mile track and so did her trainer, Lutfi Kolgini in Sweden. We are friends with Jimmy (trainer Takter), so of course this is a great option to come over and try to get a big record for her before she goes to the breeding barn."
Pasithea Face races in the red and gold silks of her owner, designed for a simple reason, said Strom, "It's because my mom can't really find my horses in the race, so that's why we wear this color for the horse."
"I got to drive her two weeks ago (in a second place finish in the Ms. Versatility) and I just loved her," said Tetrick. "It was her first start here and thought we'd go nice and easy with her and she trotted strong to the wire. She did her job today. Hannelore Hanover was the one to beat today. She didn't have the best day, but take nothing away from my mare, she was awesome."
Odds on favorite Hannelore Hanover faded to fourth.
Jimmy Takter trains this mare by Muscle Hill for owners Courant, Inc. of Delray Beach, FL
Pasithea Face S
By Ellen Harvey

Freehold, NJ --- The U.S. Trotting Association will join an industry-wide initiative to review the rules of racing promulgated by the Association, to create a rule book that every harness racing jurisdiction will adopt and enforce. The initiative, chaired by new Hambletonian Society President John Campbell, will conduct a detailed and comprehensive review of the rules of racing, with input from all stakeholders.
The initial goal of this effort is to identify rules that should be clarified, modified or expanded to enhance uniform adoption and interpretation and to more accurately reflect contemporary racing conditions. The group will ultimately work to incorporate changes to existing USTA rules and seek their adoption with state and provincial racing commissions.
"We should have universal rules throughout harness racing, throughout North America," says Campbell. "That is something I've felt quite strongly about for a long time. I don't believe some of our rules are worded as well as they could be. That can make it difficult for the judges to rule consistently. If the wording were made more concise and definitive, it would be easier for judges.
"I think there is more of an impetus for the Commissions to go by USTA rules right now than there has been in the past. The beneficiaries are twofold -- this will benefit the gamblers betting on our game across North America as well as participants and judges. It will be better for all involved to get this accomplished."
It's anticipated that there will be some review and revision of rules completed prior to the Sept. 1 deadline required for USTA rule changes to be considered in 2018, but Campbell cautions the effort will be a sustained one over time.
"It's not something to be done quickly," he said. "It will be a long thought process to get the wording done right."
While every aspect of the rules of racing will be considered, the initial areas of scrutiny will be driver safety and fitness, fair start, recall and starting gate rules, horses coming out of a hole, causes of interference, and in the era where so much handle is generated by simulcast, conduct of post parades.
Members of the committee include driver Yannick Gingras, Hall of Fame driver and racing official Dave Magee and driver Jeff Gregory, chairman of the USTA Trainer-Driver Committee, as well as retired Hall of Fame driver Bill O'Donnell, now serving as president of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association.
Brett Revington of the Pennsylvania Racing Commission will participate, as will presiding judges from both the U. S. and Canada, Don Harmon, Tim Schmitz, Jeff Tallarino, Bill McLinchey, Tom Miller and Dan Kazmaier.
Racetrack executive and USTA director Jason Settlemoir, USTA directors Dick Brandt, chairman of the rules committee, and Steve McCoy, former president of the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, who helped craft rules and policies for the Association following the introduction of racinos, will also contribute.
Registrar TC Lane will serve as the USTA representative, to assist in coordination and execution of the group's agenda. In addition, there will be two non-voting members, horseman Gary Buxton and professional harness racing gambler and former horseman Les Stark.
by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Mach It So, with David Miller driving, held off a persistent Boston Red Rocks and Brett Miller in the final eighth of a mile to win the $427,400 William Haughton Memorial for harness racing open pacers by a neck at the Meadowlands on Saturday night in a time of 2:00.4 for the mile and an eighth distance.
Mach It So (Mach Three) was off the early pace, set by Bettor's Edge and Scott Zeron through a snappy :25.4 first quarter, with Rock N' Roll World and Brian Sears in behind him. Mach It So was moving up from fourth just past the quarter and had the lead by the half in :54.1.
Boston Red Rocks was on the outside to challenge past the half and kept up the pressure and drew nearly even at three-quarters, which was timed in 1:20.4. Those two were the sole contenders down the stretch with Mach It So hitting the mile in 1:47.1 with a slight lead and Boston Red Rocks still pressing hard on the outside to the wire.
"With the extra eighth of a mile, I wasn't sure what was going to happen," said winning driver Miller. "When the gate folded, it looked like there were about 10 of them (in a 12-horse field) leaving. By the time we got to the first turn, it had settled down and I was sitting fourth.
"We were actually going a pretty moderate pace, so I went ahead and moved him to see what would happen. The horse first up just kind of rode there and we got our own way. He fought really hard through the stretch. I think Boston Red Rocks got up on him, but this horse fought back and put his head in front. That (1:47.1) is a big mile for him. He was still pacing hard at the wire. I give the horse a lot of credit. He's a quality horse. He's been around for a long time and he's won this race before."
Mach It So
Mach It So returned $34.60 to win. Bettor's Edge (Scott Zeron) was third.
Mach It So now hs over $2m in earnings and is trained by Jeffrey Bamond Jr. and owned by Bamond Racing LLC.
By Ellen Harvey

In a 1:51 world-record performance for a 4-year-old mare, Emoticon Hanover and Daniel Dube made light work of the field to win their division of the $30,000 Miss Versatility for harness racing open trotting mares by a length and a half on Saturday at the Meadowlands.
Dube got the daughter of Kadabra off the gate and to the lead first before the :28.3 first quarter and held Broadway Donna and David Miller behind them to the :56 half mile maker.
They were in the same order at the 1:24.2 three quarters, after Broadway Donna came off the rail briefly and then retreated. In deep stretch, Emoticon Hanover ($9.80 to win) trotted away from the field as Pasithea Face S slipped up the rail to be second and Broadway Donna was third, three-quarters of a length behind her on the outside.
"She went around the track nice and easy," said Dube. "I just let her trot at the end and she did it very easy. I saw (Broadway Donna) coming and my mare responded really good."
Emoticon Hanover is owned by Determination Stable of Montreal and trained by Luc Blais.
Emoticon Hanover
In the other division, Hannelore Hanover ($2.10) and driver Yannick Gingras never had an anxious moment, winning the first of the two divisions by five lengths in 1:50.3, a new career mark.
Side Bet Hanover (Corey Callahan) was first off the starting gate, getting to the lead before the :27.3 first quarter. Hannelore Hanover was out and on the move just past that point and crossed over to the lead along the rail by the :55 half, with Side Bet Hanover tucked in behind her.
Hannelore led the way to the 1:23.1 three-quarters with Side Bet Hanover behind her and Sweet Thing (Tim Tetrick) making a play for the lead on the outside. As the field turned for home, Hannelore Hanover trotted away from the field, leaving Caprice Hill in second and Oho Diamond a half-length behind her in third.
Hannelore Hanover is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino and Jerry and Teresa Silver.
"She's definitely sounder (than last year) so it makes it easier," said Gingras. "At times last year she was a little sore, but now she's really sound. That was a really good mile tonight and now she's ready to rock. (Racing against the male trotters) is definitely on the horizon. We've got them on the radar for the big purses and also against the girls, but we're going to face them soon," he said.
Hannelore Hanover
By Ellen Harvey

Goshen, NY --- Lord Cromwell and harness racing driver Jason Bartlett left no doubt as to the best horse in the $17,747 third division of the Landmark Series for 3-year-old trotting colts was on Monday afternoon (July 3) at Goshen Historic Track. They led the field at every fraction (:30.3, 1:01.1, 1:30) to win by 10-3/4 lengths in 1:59.1. The winners of the other seven divisions were Keystone Phoenix, Coach Cummings, Make Music K, Real Rayenbow, Reverend Nanny, Give Up The Ghost and Outtatheballpark.
He’s got to go to Buffalo (for New York Sire Stakes) on Sunday so it was kind of a nice mile for him,” said trainer Ed Hart. “He’s very good on a half, he showed that at Freehold (winning the Dexter Cup on May 6). He’s quick, he gets around the turns super. He’s not eligible to the Hambletonian (Aug. 5 at The Meadowlands). We didn’t keep him eligible to a whole lot this year. He had problems last year, started off slow; he got sick, we gelded him and we had a real problem. He almost died, but he’s come around.”
Lord Cromwell was bred and is owned by Carolyn Atherton. Cash N Chrome (Brian Connor) was second and Icanflylikeanangel (Jordan Stratton) was third.
In the first division of the Billings Series for amateur drivers, Robert Ciavardini returned to his original profession after several decades working in the construction business, winning one of the $5,000 trots with his own Baltimore As.
Ciavardini got Baltimore As, an 8 year-old son of Credit Winner, off the gate to the lead at the :30 first quarter and was overtaken by the half by Pocket Passer and Anthony Verruso who held the lead at the 1:00.3 half and the 1:31.4 three-quarters. Ciavardini overtook the leaders in the stretch for the win by 3-1/4 lengths in 2:02.3.
Pocket Passer was second and Zorgwijk Impact (Joe Pennacchio) was third.
I was in this business in 1968 as a groom at Roosevelt and went on to do it full time, got my trainer’s license, driver’s license for about 20 years," Ciavardini said. “Then in about 1988, I was offered a real job, working construction. I worked for one company in New York City, retired in Aug. of 2016, decided to have some fun.
I joined the amateurs, bought a couple trotters, me, my brother and my wife. I have a couple trotters with (trainer) Tommy Merton. I decided maybe I’ll try it again. I wasn’t even thinking of driving, I was just thinking of having a horse to fool around with. But little by little, I saw these amateurs, which we didn’t have when I was in it; I thought I’d try it. My wife thought I was crazy, my kids thinks I’m nuts. But it’s fun, I didn’t drive for 27 years, but about a month ago I got my first drive. I think this my fifth. Right now, I’m having a ball.”
Coach Cummings and trainer/driver/owner Ray Schnittker won the second division of $11,150 Landmark Stake for 2-year-old trotting colts wire-to-wire in 2:04.2, but the connections of second place finisher Two Six (Jason Bartlett) were delighted with his runner-up spot, back 4-1/4 lengths from the winner and more than 16 lengths ahead of third place finisher Mass Confession (Marcus Miller).
Unlike many of his fellow juvenile trotters, there was no particular science behind Two Six’s bloodlines, says owner Ann Mari Daley, who was trackside at Goshen while her husband, trainer Dan Daley, is recovering at home from injuries in a racing accident two weeks ago.
His mommy was my 2-year-old, Royal Moxie and his father (Thanks For Playin) was a 2-year-old out in the field with yearlings when she was a yearling,” said Daley. “They met and fell in love and had a baby. This happened before I bought her. We were training her down in Florida (as a 2-year-old) and she kept coming up flat at the end of the mile and Dan wondered what this is.
Dr. Caputo checked her over and first we thought it was cancer because there was a mass. Then he came back to ultrasound her and he saw the mass move. She was getting ready to foal. We foaled out a cute little colt and here he is. He’s not staked to anything, but we paid him into the Landmark and the Reynolds and a few others. He is a good-looking colt and all he wants to do is trot, knock wood.”
The final day of racing resumes at Goshen on July 4 at 1 p.m. for New York county fair racing.
by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

When harness racing driver John Campbell gets behind the gate at Goshen Historic Track on July 2 for the Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot (race 4 at approximately 2 p.m.), he'll see a familiar face to his left.
In post eight, driving the trotter Pig Hunt, Campbell will be next to Bill O'Donnell, driving Toss Cartwright from post seven. It will be the last race in the U.S. for both men, who are Canadian-born.
O'Donnell made the decision when he found out at the Dan Patch dinner in Las Vegas in February that David Miller would be attending Legends Day at Clinton Raceway in Ontario, a biennial fan-centered day, to be held this year on July 30. I said, "Good. You [Miller] can drive in my place. John was there and he said, "Well, that's my last drive why don't you do it, too? Let's do it together, our last drives.'"
O'Donnell, seven years older than Campbell, has 5,445 wins and $90.6 million in purses, and is now the president of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association. He trained a small stable until recently, though he's kept his equipment - "I'm sure I'll find something to train," he says.
The two men dominated harness racing in the '80s and '90s, with O'Donnell having 20 seasons of $1 million or more while Campbell has continued with 38 seasons of a million or more and eight of $10 million plus. O'Donnell was the first driver to reach $10 million in a year in purses, hitting that mark in 1985.
"I wish he had retired 30 years ago, it would have been a lot better for me," says O'Donnell with a laugh. His driving in recent years has been limited to fan-friendly events, like those at Goshen and Clinton. "They're lined up for a quarter of a mile [at the meet and greets], same as Goshen," says O'Donnell, "year after year after year."
Campbell will also stay focused on the fans in the future, he says. "It's my last time driving, but it won't be my last time at Goshen," he says. "I'll still come and see people, go to the [induction] dinner on a regular basis, it's not like I'm never going to be back at Goshen."
On Sunday, Campbell will line up against many drivers with which he competed on a nightly basis for decades at The Meadowlands and in major races across North America. Aside from O'Donnell, Wally Hennessey, Dick Stillings, Brian Sears (to be inducted Sunday night), Jimmy Takter, Dave Palone and David Miller will also compete in the race. "We'll get together and reminisce and laugh about some of the silly stuff years ago," said Campbell. "The camaraderie is always great."
Historic Track is giving away a commemorative photo of Campbell with some of the best horses of his career and a detailed list of his accomplishments to the first 500 paid admissions on Sunday. Fans can say hello and get him to sign it after the Hall of Fame drivers race. Campbell and the other drivers will have sharpies at the ready, "I'll be able to handle that - that won't be an issue," he says.
"It's always special at Goshen because the fans are right on top of you (in the grandstand up against the racing surface], it's the personal interaction and they're always so enthusiastic and so nice at Goshen. It's fun to be part of that. I really appreciate it so much."
Historic Track is located at 44 Park Place in Goshen. Admission is $5 (includes a program) for adults and children are free. They're located behind the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame at 240 Main Street in Goshen, where admission is always free.
Ellen Harvey

When John Campbell makes his last drive in the United States on Sunday, July 2, at Goshen (N.Y.) Historic Track, fans will have a few chances to get a remembrance of his historic career as harness racing's leading money winning ($299.9 million) driver of all time.
The first 500 paid admissions to Historic Track on Sunday will get a commemorative 8.5x 11 photo of Campbell with some of the best horses of his career, including Mack Lobell, Peace Corps, Merger, Miss Easy and Life Sign. (See attachment). The back of the photo details Campbell's statistics and accomplishments.
After the annual Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot for Hall of Fame drivers on Sunday, Campbell will be available to sign those photos at the track.
He will be joined by eight other Hall of Fame drivers signing their photos: Bill O'Donnell, who will also be making his last U.S. drive that day, Ron Waples, Jimmy Takter, David Miller, Dave Palone, Wally Hennessey, Dick Stillings, and Brian Sears, who will be inducted in to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame that night.
In addition, the Harness Racing Museum, adjacent to the second turn of the track at 240 Main Street, will sell signed John Campbell bobbleheads ($50) as well as a signed poster of Campbell, designed in pop art style by Raymond Lance, for $100.
Mugs based on the Historic Track poster will sell for $15 at the Museum. All proceeds benefit the Museum's mission to preserve and promote the sport of harness racing. Those that cannot get to Goshen on July 2 can order by calling 845-294-6330.
"We are delighted that John has agreed to the sale of these souvenir items to help celebrate his long and important career," said Janet Terhune, Museum director. "John has made so many fans for the sport and we're happy to have a way for them to remember and celebrate his contributions."
By Ellen Harvey / Harness Racing Communications/USTA

The last weekend on June was outreach time at Fair Winds Farm, in Cream Ridge, NJ for nearly 400 visitors. Fair Winds' owner, Mark Mullen, teamed up with Dr. Patty Hogan's Hogan Equine Clinic, located on the grounds of the farm, to open their doors to the public and hold a workshop for future equine health professionals.
On Saturday, June 24, high school students spent the morning with Dr. Hogan at her clinic to learn how to prepare for a career in equine medicine, either as a veterinarian or a technician.
"I'm often asked by young people how to prepare for a career caring for horses," said Hogan. "It's not all just good grades in math and science; the best vets I know have one thing in common - they know horses - they handle them well, they know their quirks, and are just all-around great observers of horse behavior. That is something no school can teach you - it's all experience."
The afternoon brought a demonstration of equine massage by Suzanne D'Ambrose and a chance to try out what they learned on trotter Independent Act. Mark Mullen gave a close look at careers in breeding farm management. "The farm manager has to be good at many things," said Mullen. "Horse husbandry and first aid, foaling mares, nutrition, maintenance, there is so much to attend to in order to have healthy animals."
There was no tuition for the workshop; students were asked to bring a donation of pet food. Feral cats at Gaitway Farm training center and the Monmouth County SPCA Pet Food Bank were the beneficiaries of about 600 pounds of donated food.
On Sunday, the 4th annual Fair Winds open house brought a crowd of over 300 people to tour the clinic, see mares and foals up close, watch farrier Tom Mulryne at work, and see a demonstration of Standardbreds in new careers by the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization.
Trainer Stacey Chiodo brought retired racehorse Mighty Young Joe and the Harness Horse Youth Foundation's mare Sweet Karen showed how the trottingbred ponies teach young people about their training and care.
The $1.3 million winner, Falls For You, and her gregarious three month old son by Trixton participated in the demonstrations to educate the crowd on the "crop" that Fair Winds produces.
A team of grey Percherons pulled a wagon full of 17 different groups of visitors around the farm, with narration provided by a USTA staff member. There were also booths from the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of NJ, Rutgers University, FFA, 4H and the Harness Horse Youth Foundation.
Captions:
Falls For You (T 1:52.2, $1,311,152) and her son by Trixton.
By Ellen Harvey / Harness Racing Communications/USTA

Freehold, NJ --- The 107th season of harness racing in Goshen, N.Y., will include the final race in the United States for all-time money-winning driver John Campbell and inductions for harness racing's finest over a long weekend from July 1-4.
On Sunday (July 2), John Campbell, whose $299.8 million in purses and 10,662 wins makes him the leading money-winning driver of all time in the world, will race for the final time in this country in the $10,000 Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot for Hall of Fame drivers at Historic Track, 44 Park Place.
In the race with Campbell will be many who have competed against him in the past several decades, including Bill O'Donnell, Ron Waples, David Miller, Dave Palone, Jimmy Takter, Dick Stillings, Wally Hennessey and Brian Sears, who will be inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame that evening.
The first 500 paid admissions to the track will get a commemorative photo montage of Campbell's career highlights. All of the drivers in the Hall of Fame race will sign photos after the race.
The Hall of Fame race is on the card in the second of four days of racing at Historic Track. Racing starts at 1 p.m. each day, with New York-bred Excelsior stakes races taking place on Saturday (July 1), along with a visit from Cameo Hills Farm's goodwill ambassador/riding horse/yearling babysitter Whiskey Pete p,4,1:48.4 ($426,701). Whiskey Pete will pose for selfies and invite pats from visitors behind the grandstand after races one, three, five and seven.
The Harness Racing Museum, adjacent to the track at 240 Main Street, is open every day of the long weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission is free. New exhibits include one on the "Grey Ghost" Greyhound, trotting legend of the 1930s and set to open July 2 at 5 p.m. The exhibit includes his stall and adjacent sitting room, taken apart board by board in 2014 and re-assembled in the Museum. The sitting room was built next to his stall at his retirement home in Illinois to accommodate the regular parade of visitors he had until his death in 1965.
Induction ceremonies at the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in the Museum will take place Sunday evening (July 2). Driver Brian Sears leads the list of people and horses to be inducted.
The 36th annual Great American Weekend celebration takes place just a block from the Museum and track on Goshen's nine-acre town green on Saturday and Sunday (July 1 and 2). Entertainment, craft and carnival food vendors are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Racing resumes on Monday (July 3) with Landmark Stakes races and concludes on Tuesday (July 4) with New York-bred county fair races.
Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ --- Keystone Wallis, the paternal great-granddam of 2016 Horse of the Year Always B Miki, died over the weekend at her home of eight years with equine surgeon Dr. Patty Hogan, and her husband Ed Lohmeyer, in New Jersey. She was 31.
"We found her in the paddock at feeding this morning (Sunday, June 4) with her faithful friend, (Hall of Fame broodmare) Flat Foot Fluzy standing guard over her," said Hogan. "Looks like it was peaceful -- no signs of trauma or any struggle in the ground around her."
She was the dam of 14 foals, including Neverhaveneverwill, dam of Always A Virgin, the sire of Always B Miki. Keystone Wallis had lived with Hogan since 2009, long before her great-grandson became a patient of Hogan's for two different orthopedic surgeries.
Keystone Wallis won 18 races in 62 starts, including a heat of the Jugette, along with $618,256; she took a mark of 1:55.3f as a 2-year-old. She was trained by the late Jack Kopas for owners Trent Valley Stables.
She changed hands for the last time in the fall of 2009, at age 23, when she sold for $150 at public auction to Kate Miller, who'd seen her race in the Adioo Volo at The Meadows when Keystone Wallis was a 3-year-old and Miller was 6.
Not yet in first grade at the time, Miller couldn't read a program, but she remembered the mare for her grey color and her post position -- one. Two decades later, she recognized her name in a sales catalog and went for the specific purpose of buying her to ensure a safe home.
Miller was 26 then, but in no position to provide care for an older broodmare. Hogan read of their story and volunteered to care for Keystone Wallis at her home for the rest of her life. The mare forged a strong friendship with Lohmeyer's mare Flat Foot Fluzy, now 30, and the two spent every day together until the end of Keystone Wallis' life.
by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications